Updated Basketball Tournament Schedule

All four ESK basketball teams will be playing in their respective postseason tournaments beginning tomorrow. The JV tournament will be split between St. Joseph's and Freedom Christian Academy, while the Varsity tournament is at First Lutheran School.

The postseason will kick off with the JV girls squaring off against First Baptist Powell at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's. Not long after, the Varsity girls take on Temple at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran School. The JV boys' game against Berean will get underway at noon at St. Joseph's. The Varsity boys will play their first game of the tournament Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. against Maryville Christian School.

Full tournament brackets are available at http://www.kislsports.org/.

Holiday Bureau Delivery

The Holiday Bureau delivery scheduled for last Tuesday was postponed due to the weather. If you still have donations, the First Grade will continue to accept them through Monday morning at 11:00 a.m.

Karate Graduation

Attention all families with students participating in the Aftercare Karate class: In spite of missing the last day of karate due to the snow day, graduation will still go on as planned, tomorrow Saturday, February 1, at 10 a.m. at Premier Martial Arts Hardin Valley located at 10720 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, 37932.

Newbery Honor Recipient Visits ESK

Local author Vince Vawter reads to Middle School students from his novel "Paperboy".

ESK had the pleasure of hosting Newbery Honor recipient Vince Vawter on Monday morning in Googe Hall. Vawter's novel "Paperboy" was honored earlier this week by the American Library Association (ALA) among the top contributions to American literature for children. Seventh Graders have been reading this book in their literature classes.

Set in the summer heat of 1959 Memphis, "Paperboy" is a moving coming-of-age novel about Little Man, a sensitive and resilient 11-year-old boy who stutters, ventures beyond the familiar and finds his voice while taking over his best friend's paper route. For more information on the novel, visit the Newbery Medal home page.

A special thank you to Mr. Vawter for sharing with our students and congratulations on his Newbery Honor!

Father Josh Earns Certificate in Youth and Theology

ESK Chaplain Joshua Hill recently completed a Certificate in Youth and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. The certificate was awarded at the end of a 4-year course of professional education and association through the Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry.   Hill's capstone project involved the grass-roots organizing of the newly forming Network of Episcopal Chaplains in Schools (NECS) which has been organizing nationally and collaborating with the National Association of Episcopal Schools to ensure that offerings for professional development are designed according to the self-identified needs of school chaplains in the field.

Nut Butter Tasting

The ESK Nut Butter Taskforce held a blind taste testing Friday afternoon in Googe Hall. Student representatives from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade tested seven varieties of nut butter, including almond, cashew, soy nut and sunflower. The students used an iPad survey created by Second Grade teacher Parri Thurman to evaluate the look, taste and smell of each different type. The taskforce will use the results as the school considers adding to its daily lunch offerings.

Coffees for Rising Families

Please take note that parents of rising Lower School students are invited to informational coffees next week. The coffees will each be from 8-9:00 a.m. in the Dining Hall. Come have coffee and snacks and learn about next year.

*Tuesday, Feb. 4 - 1st and 5th

*Wednesday, Feb. 5 - 2nd and 4th

*Thursday, Feb. 6 - 3rd and 6th

Re-Enrollment Information Available Soon

Re-enrollment information for 2014-2015 school year will be sent electronically the first week of February. The deadline for Financial Aid applications is tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, 2014. While you will be asked to upload or send your 2013-14 tax return directly to School and Student Services, financial aid decisions can be made prior to receiving your completed return. Once it is received, the tax return information will be used to verify income, and awards may be adjusted accordingly. In order to determine financial aid awards prior to the re-enrollment contract deadline of February 21, 2014, it is imperative that we receive completed Parent Financial Statements in a timely manner. Please be in touch with Susan Denton (865-218-4488) if you have any questions.

Sustainabilty/Garden News

In the Kitchen

Fifth Graders (l-r) Lila, William, Bobby, Aidan, Henry and Barrett roll dough during garden class.

During Garden classes over the last week, Lower School students have had the opportunity to see behind the scenes in the ESK kitchen. ESK kitchen assistant Lisa Nix walked the students through the steps that she takes to make the bread for lunch every day. Students were then given the chance to knead the bread and roll out their own rolls. Once the bread was cooked, students got to taste the bread they had a hand in making. What fun!

Christmas Tree Recycling

ESK Director of Susaintability Brett Tannhauser and Grounds Manager Kevin Kuban took the Christmas Trees that ESK families recycled at the school and turned them into wood chips that will now be used to line the path to the outdoor chapel. Thanks to the families that donated their trees!    

Summer Camps

Theater Camp

ESK summer theatre camp with Dr. Sousa will be held June 9-13 for rising First through Sixth graders. Watch next week's Headlines for more information.     

Interact News

"Pennies for Pencils"   

All next week and the week after the ESK Interact Club will have jars in the Lower School supply store and in each Advisor's room in the Middle School to collect change for the "Pennies for Pencils" fundraiser. All the funds collected for this will go to Africa Education and Leadership Institute. This Institute, headed by Anita Henderlight, provides education to children in South Sudan. Please help us educate kids on the other side of the world by raiding your couches and change cups and donating to a wonderful cause.

Follow ESK Interact on Twitter (The ESK Interact Club), Instagram (ESK Interact Club), and Facebook (ESK Interact Club).